Continuation of my NFC team draft grades.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins: B+
You're always going to have a tough time trying to find flaws in a Bill Parcells draft. I think stealing Philip Merling away from my Redskins was their best pick. I like Parmele. Chad Henne was great value where they got him and he could be good but I liked Brian Brohm better. Lionel Dotson was a great pickup in the seventh, I know he gave Arizona State some problems. It ends up being a B+ instead of A- because I think Jake Long isn't a number one overall pick...he'll struggle at left tackle for a while. I do understand, financially, why they picked him though.
Buffalo Bills: A-
Can't give them a full "A" because theres some questions about each one of their picks, but I love the top two picks so much. Leodis has every bit of the talent to become one of the best CBs in the league and his return abilities are remarkable. James Hardy is just a perfect fit and the pick was good value, then you consider he's 6'6" and runs in the 4.4s in the 40 yard dash and....WOW. Reggie Corner and Chris Ellis should be a great role players for years to come.
New England Patriots: B-
I had them as a C+ initially, but I'm having trouble believing Belicheck and the guys wouldnt have a good draft. They got exactly what they needed in this draft, but I have a big problem with the value they came away with for each pick. Jerod Mayo could be an upgrade to Roosevelt Colvin, so thats a good pick just too early, they shouldve traded down...maybe they couldnt.
New York Jets: B
THey didnt add enough to a team that wasnt very good last year, but pick for pick they did very well in this draft. Gholston will make plays and the fans will buy up his jersey before they can get them in the store. Love the Dustin Keller pick because they havent had a good receiving TE in so long.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: C+
From top to bottom I really like this draft. Allen Patrick, Nakamura, Gooden, Tom Zbikowski are all solid picks. I just have an issue with the top two picks. I admire Ray Rice's competitiveness and versatility, but I'm just not sold on him and I have a feeling they couldve grabbed him in the third round. Joe Flacco: Listen, like this guy a lot, but where they took him, I have questions about. Also, the thing I keep hearing and will always hear about him is how good his arm strength is...and how tall. Cool, but neither one of those things make a good QB. Accuracy, instincts, football IQ, and footwork are much more important to me and there are questions about him at each one of those ares.
Cleveland Browns: D+
THe + is there because I love the Alex HAll pick in the 7th round...other than that this draft was below average.
Cincinnati Bengals: A-
Mario Urrutia in the 7th was a GREAT pick. He's not as fast as Henry was, but he'll take of business in the red zone. Sims, Caldwell, Simpson, and Collins were excellent picks. Simpson may have been a reach, but man is he talented. THe thing I love most though is Keith Rivers. THis guy is such a good player.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B+
They got so much luck with their top three picks. All three are great fit and were great value where they went. Bruce Davis is a straight menace in the pass rush. Limas Sweed was by far my favorite receiver in this class....so talented its unbelieveable, he will need some work...okay, a lot of work on his route running. Cant say enough about the Mendenhall pick....awesome.
AFC South
Houston Texans: C+
How can you pass on Rashard Mendenhall?? I guess they really like Darius Walker and Chris Taylor. Anyway, they did get Steve Slaton who I am an emense fan of and the Okam and Adibi picks were great additions. Those two make it a slighty above average draft.
Indianapolis Colts: A-
I'll admit it, I'm only giving them this high of a grade because they selected a Sun Devil with their first selection. However, they did get great players for their system. Mike Hart was obviously a good pick in the 6th round, I havea hard time believing he wont end up being a great backup behind that offensive line in Indy that is always stellar.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C
It would be a D probably if it werent for the Chauncey Washington pick. They got him in the 7th round??? Thats a great pick! However, they reached bad and gave up too much for Derrick Harvey, a guy who takes plays off. THen Quentin Groves who, despite all of his ability, also takes plays off, isnt a hard worker and has character concerns. All that makes it average. Its not good when the 7th rounder is your best pick.
Tennessee Titans: C+
I actually like them getting Chris Johnson...I dont like how high they took him, but he will be a GREAT fit for the Titans. Jason Jones, Hawkins and Stanford Keglar are three picks that give them a slighty above average draft. Hawkins is very underrated
AFC West
Denver Broncos: A++++++++++
I'm pretty sure rule 42 article B section 16c in the NFL rulebook states: Any team that drafts two Arizona State Sun Devils automatically receives the Lombardi Trophy. I dont care what anybody says, JOSH BARRETT and RYAN TORAIN...Thats the best draft of just about all time! haha. Seriously though, Ryan Torain is a beast and will be the perfect compliment to Selvin Young and Travis Henry. I dont know about the other guys in the backfield. Mike Bell and the other guy from USF are good RBs too, so thats gonna be a crowded backfield to say the least. Josh Barrett will make the team without a doubt though and he's a headhunter...Dont be surprised if he becomes known as one of the most feared hitters in the NFL. You add Clady, Spencer Larson, Peyton Hillis, and Eddie Royal to that and damn...this might ACTUALLY be an A++++++++ draft.
Kansas City Cheifs: A+
What more can I say that hasnt been said. Jamaal Charles, Branden Albert, Glenn Dorsey....THATS NOT FAIR!!! Teams shouldnt be able to get that much talent in one draft...psh!
Oakland Raiders: D+
Well if you get a chance to read my mock draft*, which I believe I only have posted on Myspace* and Facebook, you will know how I feel about Darren McFadden. I wouldnt say I'm not a fan of him, but I'm definetly not a fan of him being picked in the top 10. THeres too much risk and he isnt a complete enough RB to garner being picked that high. I understand he's electric, but we saw him get shut down at times last season and we all though REggie Bush's speed and agility would makeup for his lack of inside running, but we've since found out that he's not the top 3 player we all thought he was, same with this guy. NOt onlydid the Raiders not get good value, but they didnt even need DMC either...they had a top ranked rushing attack last season and just signed Justin Fargas to a new deal. Thats wasted money now that DMC is in Oakland. They couldve got better value with Dorsey or Gholston and those are two guys they more than they need DMC. As for this, Darren will help Jamarcus out thing.....thats stupid, Darren isnt a terribly special receiver and the jurys very much still out on his blocking abilities....Lets see here, how much did Darren McFadden help Casey Dick?? Yeah...NONE, didnt help him even a bit.
San Diego Chargers: C+/C
Only a very slightly above average draft only because they didnt add a lot...Also Jacob Hester was a reach in the third round if you ask me and I'm not sure how they're gonna use him, unless he eventually becomes a good lead blocker. Antoine Cason is one of my favorite players in this draft, so obviously like that pick. Also, Tribble and Thomas were excellent pickups.
*The links are links to my myspace page...the mock drafts are off to the right on my myspace page, but I'm pretty sure you will have to add me as a friend to be able to see them.



Maria Kirilenko
Cintia Dicker

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Any time you can say deez nuts in a blog, is a good blog by me.
J. HOVA: PRIMETIME
Brooklyn, NY
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haha...I had a feeling that might bump up the popularity of my blog. Im establishing it now. 1st rule of sports blogging: You can never go wrong with a Snoop Dogg-Warren G recurring joke!!
DCforkIN'em
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I love the grade you gave to my Broncos draft are you a Bronco fan by any chance? I gave them an incomplete, but I like your grade better.
ALL ABOUT LIFE &…
Denver , CO
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